Roger Estlack

Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) announced Monday morning, Sept. 30, that he will not be seeking re-election in 2020.

Thornberry was first elected to represent the 13th Congressional District in Texas in 1994.

“It has been a great honor to serve the people of the 13th District of Texas as their congressman for the last 25 years,” Thornberry said in a statement released Monday. “They have given me opportunities to serve the nation in ways I could have never imagined, including as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

“We are reminded, however, that ‘for everything there is a season,’ and I believe that the time has come for a change. Therefore, I will not be a candidate for reelection in the 2020 election.

“As I make this decision, I realize how very fortunate I have been in my life in many ways, such as: being raised and supported by a loving family; growing up in a community where neighbor helps neighbor; having had mentors who helped guide me; and especially being blessed with a wife and children whose love and support during this “adventure” have far exceeded what anyone has a right to expect. I am very grateful to all of them.

“I am also grateful to those who have worked on my team over the years — both official and political — each of whom has a servant’s heart and has brought his or her considerable talents to help our work together be as effective as possible.

“I could not have asked for a better group of employers than the people of the 13th District. Their faith, common sense, and work ethic, along with a deep patriotism and devotion to our country, have encouraged and motivated me to do my best on their behalf. They continue to inspire me with their selfless efforts to make our communities stronger and to lend a hand to our fellow man. I can never thank them enough for the honor of representing them in Washington and also for allowing me the privilege of working on behalf of the men and women of our military, who, with their families, are the pride of our nation as they serve us every day.

“With over a year to go, I will continue to represent the people of the 13th District to the best of my ability. Our nation faces many difficult challenges, and none of us can relax our efforts to meet and overcome them, whether at home or around the world.

“When I first announced that I was running for Congress on Veterans’ Day 1993, I quoted the great minister, Dr. Peter Marshall, who said, “A different world cannot be built by indifferent people.” In January 2021, I will no longer have the honor of representing the people of the 13th District of Texas, but I will never be indifferent to the responsibility each of us has to serve and protect our beloved nation.”

Mike Jackson was named the interim superintendent of Clarendon CISD Monday night during a called meeting of the board of trustees.

Board Vice President Weldon Sears said Jackson will begin work this week, and the district will begin advertising for a new superintendent next week.

Jackson has also served as interim superintendent in Vega, Claude, Happy, Texoma, and River Road.

Jackson said he’s familiar with Clarendon schools through friendships with Elementary Principal Mike Word and CHS Principal Larry Jeffers, and he also has family ties to Clarendon with both of his parents having attended school here in the 40s.

“Clarendon is a great school district,” Jackson said. “I toured the campus Monday with [board president] Wayne Hardin, and I was impressed with the facilities and how well maintained they are.”

He also said Clarendon has a reputation, dating back to the 1990s, as an innovative school in terms of implementing technology.

Jackson said the search for a superintendent will run six weeks with a first round of interviews planned for late November and a second round in early December.

“I hope to have a new superintendent to start the new semester in January,” Jackson said.

Getting a new superintendent in the middle of the school year is not unusual, according to Jackson. But he also said if the initial search does not produce a candidate the board likes, he’s willing to stay on and do another search.

Hedley High School’s homecoming activities for Sept. 20 have been rescheduled following an incident at the school on Sept. 19.

Superintendent Garrett Bains says a joke taken too far led to the decision to cancel even though the administration and law enforcement determined there was no threat to the school or its students.

“It was a bad topic for comedy,” Bains said. “It would be like yelling ‘bomb’ in an airport. You just can’t do that, and we decided to take a tough stance.”

Bains said the school consulted with the Donley County Sheriff’s Office which agreed there was no threat to the school. The superintendent said the administration’s policy is that disciplinary action means a kid cannot participate in an athletic event that week, which can have a big impact when a school only has eight football players.

“If you take out two or three, then you don’t have a team,” Bains said. “If you have two or three that can’t play, you have to cancel.”

Bains said it’s important for kids to learn when a joke isn’t funny anymore.

“These are good kids, and it’s part of growing up,” he said. “It was a bad decision by a couple of young men. It looks terrible. It looks much worse than it really is.”

Bains said all homecoming activities have been moved to Sept. 27. He also said there has been a mixed reaction from parents but he thinks most parents support the school’s decision.